natural resources

GRB’s consultants support solutions to the competing demands for these resources that are environmentally and economically sustainable. Our goal is to integrate best available science across multiple disciplines in order to evaluate the range of effects of each project, and develop cost-effective alternatives to avoid, minimize and mitigate potential long term impatcs to natural resources. Natural resource management begins with a clear understanding of the physical, chemical and biological factors that interact and control ecological processes in terrestrial, wetland and aquatic ecosystems—and the species that depend on them. Within this framework, our team of scientists and restoration specialists tie client goals with regulatory requirements to manage and conserve our natural resources in an economic and environmentally friendly manner. The creation, restoration, enhancement, and rehabilitation of habitats for birds, fish and other wildlife provides many benefits to the public, while also addressing critical regulatory requirements under the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, Rivers and Harbors Act, Oil Pollution Act, and various state and local regulations. Habitat restoration is a viable tool for addressing a broad range of environmental challenges such as incidental take under federal and state regulations; mitigation for environmental permits; treating wastewater streams using constructed wetlands, or offsetting prior actions that reduce the quality of habitat. Our Natural Resource specialists perform Natural Resource Damage Assessments (NRDA) from environmental and economic impacts of oil spills (and other forms of environmental damaging releases) and the associated restoration, rehabilitation and monitoring of impacted sites. Actual spill and hazardous waste response experience has provided our professionals valuable understandings into the characteristic behavior of different types of releases; the successes and failures of response actions under varying conditions; an understanding of how to collect meaningful environmental samples and documentation; and an appreciation for the environmental implications of diverse situations and actions.